January comes to a close

Well I thought December went quickly!  Whatever happened to January?  Is it just a symptom of getting older I wonder.

Previous blogs this month have set the scene for the final week or so and I'll try not to go over the same ground, certainly won't add the same photos because I can't find them!

My last couple of outings have both been to Amwell on 28th & 29th, the first in the afternoon in search of the elusive "half decent" Barn Owl photo, the second on the morning of 29th to catch up with an old work colleague who has just returned from a few days in Wales with Red Kites and a day at Slimbridge on the way home.  Some of his photos, and those of "Seymour Birdies", are super and have made me determined to grab a few days away if the chance arises.  A change is as good as a rest they say, hopefully I'll see soon.

Back to Amwell, 28th main quarry was the Barn Owl, which, as it happened, didn't put in an appearance by the time I decided I was cold enough and went home (that was about 5.15 so I'd given it a fair chance!).   I'd checked in at the Bittern Pool on the way down but no luck there, but I did witness a male Tufftie struggling to swallow a large Roach or Rudd, he made it in the end but it was a struggle. At the White Hide photo opportunities that came my way included those below, which aren't too bad but not what I was hoping for.  Strange the way the picture in your minds eye differs from what the camera sees - and the camera never lies!

Grey Herons around the roost

Little Egret

and

Male Shoveler 

Group of Lapwings bracing themselves against the cold wind.

The morning of the 29th was cold and breezy especially on the hardstanding area in Hollycross Road where it was blowin' a hooley - and a cold one at that! Thankfully the wind quietened somewhat by the time I reached the river.  Another check of the Bittern Pool - zilch, so on to the James Hide.  My mate was already there, ground level and set up with a lens that could probably see the Smew at the other end of the lake! (only joking Pete!).  After a chat and a clearly quiet pool, I decided a meander to the Gladwin Hide was in order to see if the Smew were being a bit more accommodating to the camera men among us.  All I can say is "at least I managed some good views through binoculars", pictures were a bit of a challenge.  Thankfully the Goldeneye were a bit more cooperative but only a bit as you can see.  The Great Crested Grebe tried to show how it should be done!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 A  walk back to the viewpoint and up through the woods - which were all but deserted and back to the James Hide.  Pete had settled in for the long haul and was chatting to a gent who, despite visiting Amwell for many years, had never seen a Kingfisher from this hide - amazing!  He did admit to not having any patience which undoubtedly contributed to his predicament!  Having engaged him in conversation for a while, our patience was rewarded and the resident Kingfisher arrived in the bushes to the left of the hide and the gent finally got his view and some pictures of the James Hide Kingfisher!  A good deed done!  I took a couple of shots but I've got loads so am becoming a bit more selective in what I take, I know the shots I want and I wasn't going to get them in a frozen pool.

 

  

 

A brisk walk round to the White Hide and a quick look around.  The wind was blowing hard straight down the lake and all activity from the hide had more or less ceased.  A few hardy Coots determined, to have a fight,  were protecting their individual patches of scrape from each other, and a large-ish group of Widgeon and Teal were sheltering in the lee of the island.  Had some good views of Herons & Cormorants trying to land in the trees in the face of a force 9 gale, some with nesting material - in January?  Why do these birds think it's appropriate for them to roost and nest in trees for heaven sake? 

 

(What's going on with the formatting?)

 

 

Enough now, nothing doing here so I'm off home. 

 

 

At the Dragonfly trail there were small birds, tit, Goldfinches, Chaffinches making use of the feeders, plus  a Greater Spotted Woodpecker.  A kestrel hovered around but out of range, the skies darkened noticeably and I went home for soup & crusty bread.

 

 

See you in February when hopefully the formatting will behave itself!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Saturday 24th January 2015

An afternoon in the sunshine at Amwell resulted in some excellent sightings and views, some OK photos, some rubbish photos and the return of the bean bag lost on Thursday. 

First the bean bag - many thanks to Darren Bast for retrieving it for me after I threw it out of the White Hide earlier this week, I will try to hang on to it next time!

I arrived at about 1.30, parked on the hardstanding in Hollycross Road and walked towards the Dragonfly Meadow immediately spooking an unseen Kestrel which then hovered over the meadow by the car park area until I pointed my camera at it when it flew off to the bottom of the meadow by the Bailey Bridge, and then through the trees and out of view.  Great start - not!

Quick check of the feeders in the Dragonfly Meadow - just Blue & Great Tits, with a few female Pheasants hovering underneath.  The walk down the path & over the bridge revealed nothing at all except my realisation that it was indeed a cold wind blowing.

Arriving at the Bittern Pool at about 1.45pm, I thought a quick scan of the far reed bed was called for, and there, to my surprise, a Bittern walking across one of the bays in the reeds - Good! seen it, Damn - brought the short 300mm lens today! Bugger!  Looked behind me and there was chap with a BIG lens (I found out later 600mm + 1.4 Converter!).  "There's a Bittern out there" I advised him, "Where?" he asked, "Just the . . . hang on. it's gone!"  He stayed on for about 10 minutes and deciding I was mad, he walked on mumbling about "needing to keep moving".  Five minutes later - Bittern time again, this time I took a chance and pointed to camera (and 300mm lens) in the general direction and pressed the shutter release.  Here's the result:

Good eh!  Talk about "Spot the Birdie!"  I was pleased when I zoomed in and saw this

Not too shabby a start I thought!  I hung around for a further 20 mins, just long enough for the 600mm man to return, but didn't see the Bittern again - but I did show him the pictures, and left him standing there while I went for a walk in the woods.

The woods, with sun in my eyes and strong wind at my back, were very quiet but I did manage to track down a couple of Siskins feeding on the Beech (?) masts.  Here's one . . . .

From the woods to the main viewpoint, very windy and quite cold.  Someone said there was a Drake Smew visible from the Gladwin Hide.  The afternoon was young, the light was good so I set off.  Reached the hide, all quiet outside, opened the door - absolute bedlam!  Probably 10 people all viewing the Smew at the right-hand end of the lake, with running commentary by one observer "He's up", He's down", He's up", "He's down","He's up", "He's down" - shut up man unless you want to join him! "He's up", "Where?" (new arrival in the hide) "By the upturned boat" "The what?" "Upturned boat, the white blob, over there", "Where" "By the upturned boat" "Can I get in there please" (another new arrival with a scope on tripod whose legs work independently of the owners brain!) I swear he nearly took some blokes eye out - shame it wasn't the commentator "He's up again" - oh please!  Anyway, I took my views for 5 minutes, managed to block the view of the man with the independent tripod for a while, and then, gave up my viewing station to a father and his young daughter, much to the disgust of  "the independent tripod legs" - result!

Back to the viewpoint, quick look around, nothing doing, so on to the James Hide.  Upstairs met a man & wife coming out "There's a Kingfisher in the trees on the left" they said, "Great, thanks" I replied, "About 20 minutes ago" they say, "Ah, OK, maybe he'll come back" I say.  Inside the hide settle down when the door opens, "Did I leave my gloves here" says the man (from the man & wife double act), "How the f??? do I know" I thought, thankfully I said "Er, where were you sitting?"  A quick check, and a pair of gloves under my feet - literally - and he's gone.   The Kingfisher arrived, posed for a few minutes and left.  Photos.

 

 

On to the White Hide, to hopefully reclaim my bean bag and watch for the Barn Owl.  Darren was there and so was the bean bag, reunited I thanked Darren and put it in my pocket for safe keeping, I'll deal with it later!

 

Late arrival of the owl, not until 4.40pm, views were great, company was good, light was bad, photos were terrible.  Walked back to the car at about 4.55pm consoling myself with "It's good to see the Barn Owl" and thinking "I only want one bloody picture!" and Spurs lost at home to Leicester! 

 

Can't win 'em all.

Barn Owl watch - Day 3 22nd Jan 2015

Well for the third evening this week I was back at Amwell for the Barn Owl viewing.  Took my position in the White hide at about 3.00pm hoping for an early show though not really expecting one.  In front of the hide were some nice Teal displaying in small groups of about 6 or 7.  I counted about 14 males and only 3 or 4 females so competition was intense (as opposed to in tents!).  Plenty of head flicking and wing flapping, and some one to one unarmed combat.

 

 

On the scrape in front of the hide was a single Snipe in the grass, which did eventually come into clear view just outside the window.  A muntjac deer emerged from the grass to the left of the hide and fed in the open for the best part of half an hour.

 

I looked towards the river at the back of the lake and noticed someone walking along the bank with a cup of tea (I found out later this was one of the Amwell Magna bailiffs).  I looked him and he looked at me, I couldn't help thinking that his presence wasn't going to aid an early appearance of Barney.  I was joined by a lady I've seen before who had seen the Barn Owl the previous evening and she proceeded to noisily point out all the wildlife I'd already seen and photographed.

Barney appeared at about 4.20, I noticed him flying low along the reeds at the back of the lake, he turned and came round the willow tree and quartered the grass area several times, coming close to the hide before flying across the lake towards the James hide and hunting over the reeds there.  A few drops into the reeds and grass, a few flights around the area, anyone in the James hide or at the watchpoint had a super view as we'd had earlier from the White hide.  The light was fading fast, I gave up on the photos and watched through binoculars for a good 10 minutes - superb views!

As the light failed I decided to head home, hopeful of some half decent shots as Barney had come in quite close this evening - oh how disappointed I would be later!

As an addendum to the evening, I also dropped my bean bag over the side and had to look out to see it just laying there, cold and alone.  With luck I'll get it back Saturday if the HMWT Warden in the sky smiles upon the warden on the ground - Come on Darren!

Back again Saturday to collect my bean bag I hope, and try again on the Barney photos!

January 2015 update

21st January 2015

In an attempt to keep tabs on where I've been and what I've seen I thought I'd catch up on a couple of weeks of being out & about. 

This month I are mostly been at Amwell, with a single trip to RSPB Rye Meads (11th Jan) and HMWT Waterford Heath (16th Jan).

Rye Meads started the outings and it disappointed, despite reports of Bittern, with very few birds about.  Chatting with others it wasn't just my poor eyesight & muffled hearing as no one had seen anything of note and all reported a general lack of activity.  Yes there was a Kingfisher from the KF hide, and Yes there were a couple of Pintails of in the distance from the Gadwall hide but generally a lack of birds, especially hedgerow species.   The deficit of birds is best summed up by the picture below - a Coot!   You know it's not a great day when Coots become camera targets!

A Contemplative Coot



 Just in passing I took a couple of pictures of the reeds around the Ashby hide (another sure sign of bird depression!)  and wondered if I got a view of the future map of the British Isles if we allow coastal erosion to continue unheeded - you decide.

UK & Ireland after coastal erosion?

HMWT Waterford Heath 16th Jan 2015.  For a change I thought I'd have a wander round Waterford Heath this afternoon.  I've lived in Ware for 22 years now and only stumbled across the Heath last summer - just at the end of the butterfly season - but it's a place I will go back to in spring & summer this year.  Anyway, it's a re-landscaped gravel working so, despite some recent wet weather, is bound to be dry - wrong!  Wellies would have been the order of the day but I didn't bring them, a small boat might also have come in useful at some points!  A cold, windy afternoon, reasonably bright but the wind in the wide open spaces made its presence felt.

I thought there might be some smaller birds in the wooded areas - there weren't, or some birds of prey over the open heath areas - nah! but there were a few dog walkers about, generally with dogs which looked like they'd rather be at home.  I know how they felt! Despite the lack of Mars bars,  I persevered and stuck it out until about 3.45 mainly because I'd parked at one end of the heath and, having walked to the other end, had to walk back again.  Now I  wish I'd brought my Mars bar - which I'd left with the wellies - that would at least have helped Work and Play - I can do the Rest bit without the need for stimulants!  Half-way back to the car I stopped at the picnic table on the North Heath - I'm sure it would be a sought after spot in summer but on a cold windy January afternoon just being there was no picnic!  Sat & caught my breath for a few minutes, wishing I'd brought the Mars bar, looked up and there was a Red Kite gliding on the wind, came out of nowhere and was gone in a minute - but not before I could get a couple of breathless blind panic shots.

 

Leaving the picnic site I headed back towards the car.  Entering the South Heath I notice a Kestrel sitting at the top of a Silver Birch looking out over the Heath, tried a couple of long distance shots but too far and too dark really.  The walk back was a hungry 15 minutes and I noticed the Kestrel had gone hunting.  Getting to the end of the Heath, climbed to the top of the bank and settled for 10 minutes at another picnic table looking out over the Heath.  After a few minutes I spotted the Kestrel hunting and hovering over the trees and thought I'd stick around for a while despite the cold hands and feet - did I mention no Mars bar?  Patience was finally reward when it ventured a bit closer and I was to get a couple of shots in the gathering gloom.

 

Before I left I spotted a Mistle Thrush sitting high in an old Oak, a Common Buzzard soaring in the sunset, a Sparrowhawk in pursuit of an unseen prey, and a huge black bird which I can only assume was a Raven (which have been reported in the area).  Darkness descended and I headed for home and a hot cup od tea and a bite - you guessed it - a piece of fruit cake!  All in all not a bad afternoon.

 

 

And so to Amwell.  Several visits made - 13th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 20th. 

 

13th - 15th January @ Amwell

 

Unlike Rye Meads there always seem to be plenty of smaller birds around Amwell.  Several varieties of Tits, Finches, through the "woods", berry eaters in the ivy clad trees by the rail crossing,  and waterfowl, with some viewable highlights such as Smew and Goldeneye, although the Smew do tend to be somewhat elusive and shy hiding round the back of the island opposite the Gladwin hide.  There are Gulls a plenty and almost as many observers some evenings looking for the reported and elusive "Yellow Legged Gull" in amongst the huge numbers of "Gulls" - good luck with that one chaps!

 

For these days I tended to concentrate on the hides, Gladwin hide brought views of displaying Goldeneye & Great Crested Grebe, opportunities for "in-flight" shots of gulls, Cormorants and Herons although the Smew stayed well hidden from me, although I did manage a good view from the main viewpoint on 14th but too far to photograph.   The James hide feeders continued to attract smaller birds in abundance including Blue, Great, Long-Tailed and Marsh Tits, Reed Buntings, Dunnocks, Robins, Wrens, Chaffinches to name but the ones I can remember! as well as Bank Voles underneath the feeders most days,  Invariably Magpies are attracted into the area, and while a pain because the smaller birds scatter, some of their colours in the sun are spectacular.  Cettis continue to announce their presence from the bottom of reeds and were seen nipping between perches before disappearing into the reeds.  Water Rail and Herons were present most days, and of course, the Kingfisher was an attraction for all visitors.  I did have an altercation with a parent whose small children were allowed to burst into the upper level (James hide) and climb all over the benches and me.  One of the little dears grabbed my hide clamp to pull himself up on to the bench - his mum got an earful.  A few pics below.

 

 

I'm sure I missed a few points, I know that I met "The Bearded Tit" (TBT) on one of these visits but can't remember which, and I know I watched several hundred Canada and Greylag Geese arriving one evening, but which one I'm not sure - but they arrive most evenings so they probably won't be offended!.

 

19th & 20th January 

 

I know I bumped into "The Bearded Tit" on 20th, so I'll get that in first, and also Mars bar was present both days!

 

19th started with a walk down from the Hollycross Road car park to the Dragonfly trail area.  Noticed a female Kestrel in the Oak tree in the field adjacent to the car park and settled against a tree for support, lifted the camera towards her and away she went!  Fortunately she went into hover mode close by but facing away from me so the pictures show a headless Kestrel.

Walked down the walkway and bumped into an old friend from my working days, chatted for 10 mins and then moved on.  If you do ever read this - it was good to see you Sam!  Next stop was the Bittern Pool, plenty of ice, quick scan, no bittern.  Moved on to James hide.  Pool was frozen so Kingfisher unlikely, but male did arrive to the left of the hide fishing in the stream which was clearly ice free.  Just Reed Buntings on & around the feeders so a walk to the viewpoint was in order.  Nothing seen along the track and when I arrived at the viewpoint the wind was noticeably stronger and colder.  No body about and just he usual gulls, coots, shovellers, teal and moorhens visible close by.  Cormorants, mote gulls, some Teal & Widgeon further out but no Smew or Goldeneye, in this wind I'm not surprised!  A walk up through the wood didn't any spectacular sights but there was a bit of relief from the wind.  On to the White hide to see what's over there.  Looked out over the close scrape, there were a few Snipe moving and probing, and the usual water birds out on the lagoon.  Another observer came in, and sat down, and opened the two windows looking back towards Hollycross Road and the one on the corner towards the Cormorant roost.  Hello I thought, that's unusual, "Are you expecting something special?" I asked, "Barn Owl" he replied, "Really, mind if I join you?" - and did before he could reply!  We chatted for a bit, me and Dave, he said the Barn Owl had visited the area regularly over the past week, usually before 4.15pm, so we waited. and waited, and waited.  The suddenly, just as the light was really going there was the Barn Owl - 4.35pm - hunting over the grass area in front of us.  It dropped down out of sight for a good 5 minutes, then up again and settled on a fence post - right behind a tree! Bugger! mind you the light was so bad by this time I was never going to get a picture.  After 10 minutes we noticed it fly off and decided to call it a day.  Walking back towards the James hide I noticed the Owl sitting on a fence post on the other side of the river.  We got as close as we could , took a few pics and then he was gone.  My shots were rubbish, Dave said his were too - he lied (see the HMWT Twitter feed for proof!).  But a great sight to see,  cold, happy and on my way home.  "See you tomorrow Dave".

 

Tomorrow, 20th January 2015



Much the same as 19th except, no Kestrel at the start, "The Bearded Tit" (TBT) was an appropriate substitute though, news of the Barn Owl was well received!  No bittern, no kingfisher (pool frozen hard).  Walk through the woods afforded some views of Siskin, Tits and Goldfinches feeding in the Beech & Alders.

A stroll to the White Hide in preparation for "Barn Owl Watch"  with TBT and friends it turned out including Dave from yesterday, Darren Bast and his fellow HMWT warden whose name I don't know.  We settled down to wait, taking note of the Snipe on the near scrape, and amid much good humoured banter.   Events of yesterday were repeated except the arrival time of the Barn Owl was a bit earlier, around 4.00pm which gave us a fighting chance of a reasonable picture or two.  I'm pleased with mine given the light and the internal panic and hopefully there will be other opportunities soon.  TBT left to catch his train, then suddenly reappeared as the Owl had flown past him heading our way.  A few more pictures then off he went again.  I stayed on for 15 minutes or so and watched the owl hunting along the river but with out photo opportunities for me, but heading home happy again!  I wonder if TBT is home yet?

 



Happy days!

What happened to December?

I do not believe it!

Can't believe that my last update was mid-November, what am I like!  However this was never going to be a regular occurrence more like something to do when the mood takes me.

I have been out & about round Amwell and RSPB Rye Meads through December and into January 2015 (Oh - Happy New Year to all or should that be both?).

From memory my personal highlights were:

@ Rye Meads:

- female Peregrine causing havoc around the Gadwall hide (19/12);
- male Sparrowhawk sitting in the bush to the right of the "Car Park" hide (19/12);
- 3 Coots trying to fathom out why they couldn't swim or walk on the ice;
- Fox walking across the ice in search of breakfast;
- Shelduck looking for a place to land.

Photos to support those highlights - generally in OK light for a change



Female Peregrine



Female Peregrine

Male Sparrowhawk





Coots on ice

Fox on ice
 

Shelduck
 

At Amwell it's been generally quiet and, on most of the days I've chosen to visit, has been overcast with "challenging" light for photos.  But I'm now armed with the new Canon 7D Mkii which, allegedly, handles poor light conditions really well.  We shall see in the fullness of time.

Highlights at Amwell were:

- Bittern spotted on 19th @ 4.15pm (photo to Herts Bird Club);
- Tree Creeper giving good views and photo opportunities on the path between James & White hides;
- Pair of Bullfinches in the same area as Tree Creeper;
- Stoat working through the old "Hornets Nest" tree on the same path;
- Displaying pair of Goldeneye - albeit at a considerable distance;
- incoming flocks of Canada & Greylag geese in late afternoon;
- a couple of lovely sunsets;

Orange glow of sunset on gull

and the photos . . .



Incoming Greylag Geese

Stoat in the Hornets tree

Displaying Goldeneye
 

Tree Creeper

 Happy New Year to all, enjoy your birding & hope to see you out & about.